Grinding machine



June 2, 1953 0. E. HILL EFAL 2,640,301

GRINDING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1950 fig.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 9 GJ ZYGARE June 2, 1953 r o. E- HILL ET AL 2,640,301

GRINDING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1953 o. E. HILL ETAL GRINDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 29, 1950 Jwemta Q/V/I E. H/LL CARL 6- F2 YG'A/FE June 2, 1953 o. E. HILL ET AL 2,640,301

GRINDING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 2/0 0m? [.H/LL

CARL GJZYG'ARE June 2, 1953 o. E. HILL ET AL 2,640,301

GRINDING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 O/VA E. H/LL 0m 5. FLYGA RE Patented June 2, 1953 GRINDING MACHINE Oiva E. HilL-West Boylston,

Worcester, Mass,

and Carl G. Flygare,

assignors to Norton Company, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 29, 1950, Serial N 0. 176,574

11 Claims. 1

The invention relates to grinding machines, and more particularly to a machine for simultaneously grinding a plurality of edge portions of a fiat workpiece.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical grinding machine for grinding a plurality of edge portions of a flat workpiece to a predetermined size and contour. Another object of the invention is to i provide an edge grinding machine for simultaneously grinding a plurality of edges on a plurality of workpieces to predetermined sizes and contours. Another object of the invention is to provide an edge grinding machine with a plurality of grinding wheel assemblies for simultaneously grinding a plurality of edge portions to predetermined contours. Another object of the invention is to provide an edge grinding machin in which a plurality of workpieces may be simultaneously ground in which a master form or template is provided for controlling the shape and size of the workpiece being ground. A further object of the invention is to provide an endless conveyor type work support having a plurality of work holders each being provided with a master template for clamping a workpiece automatically as the workpiece approaches a grinding position. Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of toggle actuated work clamping devices for clamping workpieces in a predetermined position relative to the master template for a grinding operation. Another object of the invention is to provide an edge grinding machine with a work washing'station whereby the grinding lubricant and coolant fluid may be removed from the ground workpieces before the workpieces reach an unloading position. Another object of the invention is to provide a power driven mechanism for intermittently indexing an endless type work conveyor to locate successive workpieces in grinding positions. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. A

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved edge grinding machine, having part of the base broken away and shown in sections;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, on a reduced scale;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine, on a reduced scale;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the work conveying mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, through one of the grinding wheel heads;

Fig. 6 is a. fragmentary detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the driving gear for the work conveyor;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken approximately on the line 7-1 of Fig. 6, through the driving gear;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken approximately on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, through one of the grinding wheel actuating mechanisms;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken approximately on the line 99 of Figs. 3 and 8, through the cross slide of one of the wheel actuating mechanisms;

Fig. 10 is a combined hydraulic and electrical diagram of the actuating mechanisms of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through one of the work holders, shown-in an open position;

Fig. 12 is a similar fragmentary vertical sectional view, of one of the work holders, shown in a closed position;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view, taken approximately on the line 13-43 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view, taken approximately on the line I 4-l4 of Fig. 11.

A grinding machine has been illustrated in the drawings comprising a base l0 which supports a hollow box-like frame II. The box-like frame H serves as a support for a pair of spaced vertical tubular slide rods l5 and I6 for supporting a grinding wheel slide M. The frame II also supports a pair of vertically arranged spaced tubular slide rods l2 and [3 which serve to support a slidably mounted wheel slide H. The upper portion of the frame ll supports a pair of spaced parallel tubular slide rods [8 and I9 for slidably supporting a wheel slide 20. The wheel slides Hi, I! and 20 are arranged to support rotatable grinding wheels 2|, 22 and 23 respectively for simultaneously grinding a plurality of edges 24, 25 and 26 of a workpiece 21 tothe desired size and contour. Each of the work slides l4, l1 and 20 are identical in construction, consequently only one of the slides has been illustrated in detail.

The wheel slide 14 is provided with a pivot shaft 30 which supports a pivotally mounted wheel head 3i. A rotatable wheel spindle 32 (Fig. is journalled in suitable bearings 33 and 34 fixedly mounted within the head 3 i. The spindle 32 serves as a support for a pair of spaced grinding wheels 2i and 2m which are arranged simultaneously to grind the edges of a pair of spaced workpieces 2'1 and 2111. An electric motor 35 is mounted on the wheel slide Hi. The motor 35 is provided with a pulley 36 which is drivingly connected by V-belts 37 with a pulley 38 mounted on the shaft 36. The pulley 33 is connected by multiple V-belts 39 with a pulley it mounted on the right hand end of the wheel spindle 32 (Fig. 5). The grinding wheels 2| and 2m are partially surrounded by a wheel guard M which is fixedly mounted on the head 3 l The wheel guard 4i also serves as a support for an adjustably mounted arcuate-shaped follower 42. One end of the follower d2 is pivotally connected to the guard 4| by a stud 43. The other end of the follower is adjustably connected to the guard 4| by a screw 44. The operative face of the guard is formed with a partial cylindrical face of substantially the same curvature as the peripheral faces of the grinding wheels 21 and Ho.

A fluid pressure operated traversing mechanism is provided for traversing the wheel slide Hi in a vertical direction during a grinding operation. This mechanism may comprise a cylinder 45 formed integral with the slide Hi. The cylinder 45'contains a slidably mounted piston 6 having a piston rod 4'5, the lower end of which is fastened to a bracket 18 which is fixedly mounted relative to the base it. When fluid under pressure is passed through a pipe 38 into a cylinder chamber 59 (Fig. the cylinder 35 togetherwith the wheel slide It will be moved upwardly in a vertical direction. During this movement of the cylinder 45 and the wheel slide it,

fluid within a cylinder chamber 52 will exhaust through a pipe 5|. Similarly when fluid under pressure is passed through the pipe 5i into the cylinder chamber 52, the cylinder 45 together with the wheel slide Hi will be moved in a downward direction.

A fluid pressure actuating mechanism i provided for swinging the wheel head iii to maintain the follower 42 in operative engagement with a template to be hereinafter described. This mechanism may comprise a transversely adjustable slide 53 having dove-tailed slide ways 54 which mate with correspondingly shaped ways on the wheel slide M. A rotatable feed screw 55 is supported by an end cap 56 which is fastened to the left hand end of the wheel slide Hi (Fig. 8) A manually operable end wheel 5? is mounted on theleit hand end of the feed screw 55 to facilitate adjustment thereof. The feed screw 55 meshes with a nut 58 formed on the transversely movable slide 53. The slide 53 is provided with a cylinder 58 which contains a slidably mounted piston 60. A piston rod 61 fixedly carried by the piston 68 is connected by a stud 62 with a link 63. The link 53 is connected by a stud 65 with the wheel head 3!. When fluid under pressure is passed through a pipe 65 into a cylinder chamber 66, the piston 68 is moved toward the right (Fig. 8) to swing-the wheel head ti on the shaft 30 to position the follower 12 in operative engagement with the template to be hereinafter described. During this movement of the piston 60 fluid within a cylinder chamber 68 is exhausted through a pipe 67. The slide 53 is preferably adjusted so that the piston 68 does not engage the right hand end of the cylinder 59 when the follower 42 is in engagement with the template. Similarly when Iluid under pressure is passed through the pipe 6? into the cylinder chamber 68, the piston til will be moved toward the left (Fig. 8) to swing the wheel head 31 in a clockwise direction (Fig. l) to move the grinding wheels 2i and Zia and the follower 42 to an inoperative position.

The wheel slide H is identical in construction with the wheel slide 14. Corresponding parts have been indicated by the same numerals with the sufiix a. The wheel slide ll supports a rock shaft 39a which serves as a support for a pivotally mounted wheel head 31a. The wheel head 3 l it serves as a support for a rotatable wheel spindle 32a (Fig. l) which supports a pair of spaced grinding wheels 22, only one of which is shown in Fig. 1. An electric motor 35a is mounted on the wheel slide 11. The motor 35a is provided with a pulley 35a which is connected by multiple V-belts 37a with a pulley 38d mounted on the shaft 38a. The pulley 38a is also connected by multiple V-belts 39a with a pulley 40a mounted on the end of the wheel spindle 32a. A wheel guard tic partially surrounds the grinding wheels 22 and serves as a support for a follower 3261 which is connected at one end by a stud 43a with the wheel guard Md. The other end of the follower $211 is connected by an adjusting screw t le. The follower illa is arranged mid-way between the spaced wheels 22 and is arranged to engage an edge portion of the template to be hereinafter described.

A hydraulically operated traversing mechanism is provided for the wheel slide I! which is identical in construction in connection with that previously described for traversing the wheel slide 14. This mechanism may comprise a cylinder 45a which is formed integrally with the wheel slide H. The cylinder 45a contains a slidably mounted piston 16a which is connected to one end of a piston rod Ma. The lower end of the piston rod Alla is fixedlyconnected by a bracket 48a with the base it. It will be'readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure that when fluid pressure is passed through either the pipe 49 or the pipe 5!, the wheel slide ll will be traversed in a vertical direction.

The wheel slide ii is similarly provided with a transversely movable slide 53a which is arranged to be adjusted transversely relative to the wheel slide H by means of a feed screw 55a which is actuated by a hand wheel 57a. The transversely movable slide 53a is provided with a cylinder 59a having a piston (not shown) connected to move a piston rod 81a. The piston rod tie is connected to one end of a link 63a, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the wheel head 3la. The transversely movable slide 53a and the cylinder 55a serve to control the swinging movement of the wheel head 31a in a manner identical with that described in connection with the wheel head 3|.

The wheel slide 20 supports a rotatable rock shaft 30b which serves as a support for a pivotally mounted wheel head 3 lb. The wheel head 3 H) is provided with a rotatable wheel spindle 321) which supports a pair of spaced grinding wheels 23. An electric motor 35?) mounted on the wheel slide 20 is provided with a pulley 35b which is connected by multiple V-belts 31b with a pulley 38b mounted on the rotatable shaft 39b. The pulley 39b is als connected by multiple V-belts 39b with a pulley 49b mounted on the end of the wheel spindle 32b. The grinding wheels 23 are partially surrounded by a wheel guard 4 lb which is fixedly mounted on the wheel head 3Ib. The wheel guard IIb serves as a support for an arcuate shaped follower 42b one end of which is pivotally connected by a stud 431) with the wheel guard Mb. The other end of the follower 42b is connected with the wheel guard 4Ib by means of an adjustable screw 44b by means of which the follower 42b may be adjusted so that its operative face is aligned with the peripheries of the spaced grinding Wheels 23.

A fluid pressure traversing mechanism is provided for the horizontally movable wheel head 29 comprising a cylinder 451) which contains a slidably mounted piston 461) connected to one end of a piston rod 41b. The other end of the piston rod 41b is fixedly connected to an upwardly projecting portion 98b formed integral with the frame II. It will be readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure that when fluid under pressure is passed through either the pipe 49 or the pipe 5|, the cylinder 45b together with the wheel slide 29 will be traversed in a horizontal direction.

The wheel slide 29 is similarly provided with a transversely arranged slide 53b which is arranged to be adjusted transversely relative to the wheel slide 29 by means of a feed screw 55b which is actuated by a hand wheel 5'"). The tranversely movable slide 53?) is provided with a cylinder 59b containing a piston (not shown) which is connected to one end of a piston rod 6Ib. The lower end of the piston rod 6Ib is pivotally connected to one end of a, link 631), the other end of which is pivotally connected to the wheel head 3Ib.

The three wheel slides I4, I! and 29 are arranged to operate simultaneously to grind the three sides 24, 25 and 26 respectively of a pair of spaced work pieces 2'1.

An endless type work conveyer is provided for automatically conveying successive work pieces to and from a grinding position. This mechanism may comprise a pair of spaced endless link chains 15 and 16 which are supported at one end by a pair of spaced sprockets TI and I8. The sprockets I1 and I8 are mounted on a rotatable shaft I9 which is in turn supported by a pair of spaced brackets 89 and 8| which are fastened to the base I9 of the machine (Fig. 1). Similarly the other end of the link chains I5 and 16 are supported by a pair of spaced sprockets 82 and 83 which are mounted on a. rotatable shaft 94. The shaft 84 is supported by brackets 85 and 86 which are in turn fixedly mounted on the base It of the machine.

A suitable driving mechanism is provided for intermittently indexing the link chains 75 and I6 successively to position work pieces in operative relationship with the grinding wheels. This mechanism may comprise a rotary type fluid motor 99 (Figs. 3 and 10) having a driven shaft 9I which supports a gear 92. The gear 92 meshes with a gear 93 fixedly mounted on the end of the shaft 84. A frusto-conically shaped detent 96 engaging a frusto-conically shaped hole or aperture 97 formed in the gear 93 serves normally to hold the chains I5 and T6 in an indexed position.

'A suitable mechanism isprovided for automatically controlling the detent 96 to initiate an indexing movement of the link chains 15 and 16 in timed relationship with the cycle of operation. This mechanism may comprise a fluid pressure cylinder 99 having a slidably mounted pist-on I99. The piston I99 is connected to one end of a piston rod I9 I, on the end of which is formed the detent 96. ,A compression spring I92 contained within the cylinder 99 normally serves to hold the piston I99 in an uppermost position with the detent 96 in operative engagement With the aperture 9'! to hold the link chains I5 and I6 stationary in an indexed position.

The cylinder 99 and piston I99 serve also as a valve to control the passage of fluid under pressure to start or stop the fluid motor 99. When fluid under pressure is passed through a pipe I93 into the upper end of the cylinder 99 (Fig. 10), the piston I99 moves downwardly against the compression of the spring I92. When the piston I99 reaches its lowermost position, fluid under pressure Within a pipe I94 may pass through a valve chamber I95 formed in the piston I99 and pass through the pipe 99 toactuate the fluid motor 99. The fluid motor 99 remains operative as long as the detent 99 is held out of engagement with the aperture 97.

It is desirable to slow down the indexing movement of the link chains I5 and 79 before the workholder reaches a grinding position. This is preferably accomplished by providing a cam face 99 on the side face of the gear 93. When pressure is relieved from the pipe I93, the released compression of the spring I92 causes the piston I99 and detent 99' to move upwardly into engagement with the side faceof the gear 98. When the gear 93 turns so that the cam face 98 moves into engagement with the end of the detent 96, the piston I99 moves upwardly to gradually close 01f the passage of fluid from the pipe I94 into the valve chamber I95 thereby slowing down the fluid motor 99. As soon as the detent 99 is forced into the aperture 97 by the compression of the spring I92, fluid is completely cut off thereby stopping the motor 99 with the link chains 15 and 75 in an indexed position.

The link chains I5 and 16 are providedwith a plurality of spaced work holders H9, II9a, II9b, lI9c, II9d, II9e, H91, H99 and HM. Work pieces such as a pair of plates of glass, 21 and 21a, are loaded into the work holders when in position II9. On the next indexing movement of the chains 15 and I6 the work holder H9 moves into position I I9a in which position three edges of the plates of glass 21 and 21a are ground to predetermined shapes. The grinding operation is a wet grinding operation in which either oil or other fluid lubricant is used to facilitate the grinding action and also to cool the work pieces being ground. On succeeding indexing operations the Work holder II9 moves into position H92) and then to in which position the coolant fluid is flushed oi the work and the holder by a mechanism to be hereinafter described. The work holder then moves on the next indexing into position I I 9d, in which position the work holder opens and the ground plates of glass 2'! and 21a are removed.

The work holders II9 comprise a transversely extending member III (Fig. 1) which extends across the link chains I5 and I6 and is fixedly connected thereto, either by welding or riveting or other suitable fastening means. The members I II are arranged to slide upon a pair of spaced parallel. plane surfaces I I2 and 3 of a supporting member I I4. The supporting member I14 is provided with downwardly extending lugs H5 and H6 having apertures which are supported onthe shafts I5 and 84.. The member I I I is also provided with an intermediate downwardly extending lug III which. is. supported by a shaft H8 carried by a pair of spaced brackets H9 which are in turn fixedly mounted on the base I0. The transversely extending. members III serve as a support for a pair of spaced plates I and I26 which are fastened thereto by rivets I21. A. template or master form I28 is-positioned. between the plates I25 and I26. and is fixedly mounted thereto by rivets I29 and I38. A pair of work clamping plates I31 and I32 are arranged on opposite sides of the sheets of glass 21 and 21a v to be ground. The clamping. plates ISI and I32 are pivotally connected by studs I33. and I34 with the transversely extending member II I. Downwardly extending portions of the plates I31 and I32 are provided with studs I35 and I36. which are connected together by meansof a tension spring I3]. The spring I31 normally tends to hold the work clamping plates I3I and I32 in an open position.

It is. desirable to provide a suitable mechanism for automatically actuating the clamping plates I3I and I32 automatically to clampplates oi glass IE1 and 18in position for a grinding operation during movement of thework holder from position I III to I Ina. It is similarly desirable to automatically release the clamping plates I31 and I32 when the work holder III] moves into position II-Ild so that the ground plates of glass 2 I and 21a may be readily removed therefrom. Asillustrated in the drawings a toggle-actuated mechanism is provided comprising a toggle arm I which is fastened-to the plate I3I by means of av screw MI. A toggle arm- M2 isfastened to the clamping plate I32 by means'of a screw I43. The toggle arms I'dli and I42 are connected to a common stud I44. lI he stud I44 is provided with a pair of rollers M-Sand I48 which arearranged to engage a cam HITI formed on the underside of the plane surfaced portions I12 and H3 of the member H4. It will be readily apparent that whenthe workholder- H 0 moves from position I It into position Him; the rollers I45and' I43 move into engagement with the cam Id'twhich operates to move the toggle-arms into'the positions-muse trated inFig. 12 with the clamping: plates I31 and I32 swung towards each other to clamp the plates of glass 21- and 21a. ina predetermined position with relationto the template or master form I28. Similarly when the work holder III] moves into position IIll'd, the rollers I45- ancl. I46 ride off the cams I I'I thereby releasing the tension of the spring. I31 to swing the clamping plates I3I and I32.toan unclamped position so thatthe ground plates of glass 21- and-21a may be readily removed.therefrom.. The. clamping plates I3I and I32 remain in an open position during successive indexing movements" as. they pass through. positions I-I Ile.,. I I0 Hug. and: II 0h: into the position .I I If where-new worktpiec'esare loaded into the work. holder. In order to facilitate clamping actioniof thetoggle arms IAIlandIIIZ, slightly elongated apertures are provided through which. the StlldL.144Lp2.SSGS. Itwill. be readily. apparent. from the. foregoing: disclosure" that. the cams. I41 together-withthe tensionof the spring I31; serve to clamp and: unclampr plates of: glass supportedin the-work holders: H '0'.

The glass. grinding operation-i is aweti grindiinginwhich. eithenfoillor. other. grindinggccolants and lubricants are employed to facilitate the cutting action of the grinding wheels and also to-iacilitate cooling the work pieces being ground. The coolant fluid after grinding leaves the work pieces coated with residue of the cutting or coolingv fluid. It is desirable to provide a suitable means whereby the residue of coolant or cutting fluid may be removed not only from the work pieces but also from the work holder before the work holder reaches an unloading or unclamping position. When the work holders are indexed to position IIIIc, a guard ISO is lowered into position to surround the work holder III] after which a streamv of cleaning fluid is passed through the nozzles IEI. The guard IE0 is supported by a vertically arranged slide I52 (Fig. 4) which is provided with a dove-tailed slideway I53. The dove-tailed slideway I53 mates with a correspondingly shaped way formed on a vertically arranged member I54, which is fixedly mounted to the frame II.

In order to facilitate automatic operation of the guard I56, a hydraulically operated mechanism is provided comprising a fluid pressure cylinder I55. formed within the member I5 3. The cylinder I55 contains a slidably mounted piston I56 which is. connected by means or a piston rod I5? with the vertically movable slide I52. When fluid under pressure is passed through the pipe 5? (Fig. 10) into a cylinder chamber IE3 formed at the lower end of the cylinder I55, the piston I56 will be moved upwardly to impart a corresponding movement to the vertical slide I32 and the guard ISil. Similarly when fluid under pressure is passed through the pipe t5 into a cylinder chamber I59, the piston I55 will be moved downwardly to lower the slide I52 and the guard I55 into an operative position surrounding the work holder Mil when in position Iibc to facilitate washing oil the residue of cutting and cooling fluid.

A fluid pressure system is provided for supplying fluid under pressure to the various cylinders previously described. This system may comprise a motor driven fluid pump Itii which draws fluid through a pipe I6I from a reservoir I62 (Fig. 10) and passes fluid under pressure through a pipe I63 to a solenoid-actuated control valve IE4 and also to a solenoid-actuated control valve I65. A fluid pressure relief valve IE6 is connected in the pipe line I63 to facilitate exhausting excess fluid under pressure through a pipe IB'I so as to maintain a predetermined operating pressure within the system.

The solenoid-actuated control valve I65 is provided for controlling the movement of the detent or pawl 96 so as to control the indexing movement of the link chains li and IS. The valve I64 is. a piston type control valve comprising a valve stem IE9 having valve pistons I'Hi, Ill and I'I'2 formed integrallytherewith. The valve pistons I70, Ill and I72 form valve chambers I13 and I74. A compression spring I15 serves normally to hold the valve its intlie position illustrated in Fig. 11. A solenoid I76 is provided for shifting the valve I64 toward the left when energized. The valve Iii lserves not only to control the operation of the pawl or detent QS'but also to admit fluid under pressure through the pipe 61* into the. cylinder chamber I53. to raise the guard I50 to an inoperative position. It is desirable to provide a suitable mechanism to time the raising of the guard I58 with the actuation of the detent 96+so that the guard ISO-is moved to an inopera- 9'. tive position before fluid under pressure can be passed through the pipe I03 into the cylinder 99 to withdraw the detent 96 and thereby initiate an indexing movement of the link chains 15 and 1B. In order to facilitate timing of the operation of these two mechanisms, a sequence valve I80 is provided. This valve comprises a pair of spaced pistons |8| and I82 having a valve chamber I83 formed therebetween. A compression spring I84 is provided normally to hold the pistons IBI and I84 in a right hand end position (Fig. 10). An adjusting screw I85 is provided in the left hand end of the sequence valve I80 to facilitate adjusting the compression of the spring I84 thereby facilitating the operation of the sequence valve I80. When the solenoid I16 is energized to shift the valve stem I69 into a right hand end position, fluid under pressure passing through the pipe I 63 passes through the valve chamber I13 and out through a pipe I11 into a right hand end chamber in the sequence valve I80 to move the valve pistons I8| and I82 toward the left against the compression of the spring I84. At the same time fluid under pressure passing through the pipe I11 may pass through a ball check valve 209 and through the pipe 61 into the cylinder chamber I58 to cause an upward movement of the piston I56 and the washer guard I50 to move them to an upward or inoperative position. The compression of the spring I4 is adjusted so that the guard I50 is in an inoperative position before the valve pistons |8| and I82 move toward the left to connect the pipe I11 with the valve chamber I83. When the valve chamber I83 moves to a position opposite the port at the end of the pipe I11, fluid under pressure may pass through the Valve chamber I83 and through the pipe I03 into the upper end of the cylinder 99 to cause a downward movement of the valve piston I thereby withdrawing the detent 96 from the aperture 91. When the piston I00 has moved downwardly a suflicient distance, fluid under pressure within the pipe I04 may pass through the valve chamber I05 and through the pipe 94 to start the fluid motor 90 thereby producing an indexing movement of the link chains 15 and 16.

The solenoid-actuated valve I05 is provided for controlling the admission to and exhaust of fluid from the cylinders 45, 45a and 45b to control the traversing movement of the wheel slides I4, I1 and 20 respectively. The valve I 65 contains a shuttle-type reversing valve member I90 having a plurality of valve pistons I9I, I92, I93 and I94 formed integrally therewith. Fluid under pressure passing through the pipe I 63 enters a valve chamber I85 formed between the valve pistons I92 and I93 and passes out through a passage I95 to a pilot valve I91. The pilot valve I91 is normally held in a right hand end position by means of a compression spring I98. A solenoid I99 is provided automatically to shift the pilot valve I91 toward the left when energized. In the position of the pilot valve I91 (Fig. 10) fluid under pressure passing through the pipe I98 passes through a passage 200 into an end chamber 20I to move the shuttle-type valve member I90 towards the left.

Similarly when the solenoid I99 is energized, the valve I91 is shifted toward the left so that fluid under pressure passing through the passage I96 may pass through a passage 202 into an end chamber 203 to shift the shuttle type valve member I90 toward the right into its right hand end position thereby reversing the flow of fluidpass- 10 ing through the valve member I65 to the cylinders 45, 45a, and 45b.

In the position of the valve I65 (Fig. 10) fluid passing through the pipe I63 passes through the valve chamber I95 and through the pipes 5| and 65. Fluid passing through pipe 5| passes into the lower chamber 52 of the cylinder 45, into the upper chamber 52a of the cylinder 45a and into the cylinder chamber 521) of the cylinder 45b and into the cylinder chamber 52b of the cylinder 45b to impart motion to the wheel slides I4, I1 and 20. Fluid passing through the pipe 65 passes into the cylinder chamber I59 in the cylinder I55 to cause a downward movement of the piston I58 to position the guard I 50 in an operative position. Fluid passing through the pipe 65 also passes into the cylinder chambers 66, 66a and 66b of the cylinders 59, 59a, and 59b respectively to swing the wheel heads 3|, 3Ia and 3Ib into operative positions with the respective followers 42, 42a and 42b in engagement with the master form or template I28.

When the shuttle valve member I is shifted into a reverse position, that'is, when solenoid I99 is energized, fluid passing through the pipe 63 passes through the valve chamber I and out through the pipes 49 and '61. Fluid passing through the pipe 49 passes through acheck valve 205 into the cylinder chambers 50, 50a and 50b of the cylinders 45, 45a and 45b to cause the wheel slides I 4, I1 and 20 to move in the reversedirection. A throttle valve 206 is provided whereby fluid passing through the pipe 49 toward the valve I65 may by-pass the check'valve 205 at a controlled rate as governed by the setting of the valve 206. 7

Fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 61 passes into the opposite ends of the cylinders 59, 59a and 59b to swing the wheel heads 3|, 3 Ia and 3 I b to inoperative positions after a grinding operation has been completed;

The wheel slide I1 grinds as it moves upwardly and stops at the end of a grinding operation in an uppermost position. At the start of a grind-- ing cycle, the wheel slide I1 moves downwardly before the wheel head 3m swings into an operative position. It is desirable to provide suitable control for the downward movement of the slide I1. This is accomplished by providing a throttle valve 208 which serves toregulate the exhaust of fluid through the pipe 5| from the cylinder chamber 5211 into the pipe 5|. A check valve 201 is provided to allow substantially unrestricted flow of fluid from the pipe 5| into the cylinder chamber 52a when the wheel slide I1 is moved in an upward direction.

A check valve 209 is provided between the pipe line I11 and the pipe 61 so that fluid from the solenoid actuated valve 64 may pass through the pipe I11 into the cylinder chamber I58 of the cylinder I 55. The check valve 209, however, prevents fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 61 from passing into the pipe I11.

A throttle valve 2I0 is provided in the pipe 95 to facilitate regulating the exhaust of fluid from the fluid motor 90 thereby controlling the speed of the indexing movement of the link chains 15 and 16.

A suitable electric control is provided for the solenoids I16 and I98 comprising power lines 2I5 and 2I6. A manually operable switch 2" is provided for closing the circuit simultaneously to energize both of the solenoids I16 and I99. A normally open limit switch 2| 8 is provided for closing the circuits after the initial starting of the 1:1 indexing movement of .the chains :15 and 16. The limit switch 2I8 is actuated by an arm :2I9 which is fixedly mounted on a downwardly extending portion of the piston rod IN.

The operation of the grinding machine will be readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure. As shown in Fig. 10, the Wheel slides I4, I1 and 20 are shown in a starting position, that is, where the wheels stop after a grinding operation. -The wheel slide I4 is in a lowermost position, the slide 1 I in an uppermost position and the slide .20 in a left hand end position. Before starting a new grinding cycle the operator places a pair of glass plates 21 and 21a to :be ground in the work holder IIO when in position IIOIa (Fig. l). When it is desired to start a grinding operation, the operator closes the switch 2I"I to energize the solenoids H6 and I99. Energizing the solenoid I16 shifts the valve stem I69 toward the right so that fluid under pressure may pass through the pipe I'I'I through the ball check valve 209, the pipe 61 into the cylinder chamber I 58 to raise the piston I56 and the washer guard I50 to .an inoperative position. Fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 61 also passes to the cylinders 59, 59a and 59b to rock the wheel heads 3I, am and 3Ib to inoperative positions out of engagement with the work. When fluid under pressure builds up within the pipe I'I'I sufficiently to move the valve pistons .I8I-IB2 toward the left against the compression of the spring I86, fluid in the pipe 111 may pass through the valve chamber I83 through the pipe I03 into the upper end of the cylinder 99 to cause a downward movement of the piston I which withdraws the detent 95.

The energizing of the solenoid I99 shifts the pilot valve I97 toward the left so that fluid under pressure passes into the .end chamber 203 to shift the shuttle-type valve member I90 toward the right. 'In this position of the valve fluid under pressure in the pipe I63 may pass through the pipe 61, through the pipe I04, through the valve chamber I05, through pipe 94 to start the fluid motor 90. The fluid motor 90 indexes the link chains 75 and IE to shift the work holder IIO into position IIila. Just before the work holder H8 reaches position IIOa, the compression of the spring I02 causes the detent to ride on the face of the gear 93. As the gear rotates, the detent follows the cam face 98 which allows the valve piston I00 to move upwardly gradually to cut off the supply of fluid pressure passing from the pipe I04 into the pipe 94 so as to gradually slow down the motor 90 be-.- fore the detent 96 moves into engagement with the aperture 91. When the piston I00 moves downwardly (F g. 10), the limit switch 2I8 is closed to hold the solenoids I16 and I99 energized during the indexing movement of the link chains I5 and 16. When the detent 90 again moves upwardly into the aperture 91, the limit switch 2 I 8 is again opened to deenergize the solenoids I96 and I99.

During the indexing movement of the work holders IIO, while the solenoid I99 is energized, fluid under pressure passes from the valve chamber I95 through the pipe 61 into the cylinders 59, 59a. and 59b to rock the wheel heads'al, 3Ia and 3Ib to inoperative, positions. At the same time fluid passes through the pipe 49 into the cylinder chambers 50, 50a and 5012 which serves to move the wheel slide I4 upwardly, the wheel slide II downwardly, and the wheel slide 20 toward the right into the positions illustrated in Fig. 1. As soon as the limit switch 2I8 opens to break the circuit thereby deenergizing the solenoids I'a'fi and I99, the shuttle valve I will be shifted into the position illustrated in Fig. 10 so that fluid passing through the valve chamber I will pass through the pipes 05 into the cylinder chambers 66, 66a and 65b to rock the wheel heads 3|, 3Ia and 3) into operative positions with the follower shoes 42, 02a and 12b in operative engagement with the master form or template I28. At the same time fluid under pressure passes through the pipe 39 into the cylinder chambers 50, 50a and 50b to traverse the wheel slide I l downwardly, the wheel slide 17 upwardly and the wheel slide 2i toward the left (Fig. 1) simultaneously to grind the side faces 24, 25 and 26 of the plates of glass 2'1 and 27a. During this grinding operation pressure within the cylinder chambers 66, Eta and 6% serves to maintain the follower shoes 42, 42a and 42b in. operative engagement with the respective sides of the master form or template I28. When the wheel slides I4, I! and 20 reach the ends of their grinding strokes, the machine stops. The machine remains in an idle condition until the operator again presses the push button switch 2 to start the next grinding cycle.

Before the work holder H0 is indexed from position H0 into position Him, a pair of work pieces 2! and 21a are loaded into an operative position within the work holder H0. As the in dexing movement of the chains I5 and I6 is started, the rollers I45 and I66 move into engagement with the cam faces M7 which serves through the toggle levers Hi9 and IM to swing the clamping plates I3! and I32 toward each other to clamp the new work pieces 21 and 21a in position on the work holder I II) for a grinding operation. As previously described, when successive work holders I0 are indexed into position H00, the washer guard IE6 is automatically lowered into the position illustrated in Fig. 4 after which a stream of cleaning or washing fluid passing through the nozzles IEI removes the residue of coolant or cutting fluid not only from the work pieces which have been ground but also from the entire work holder. When successive work holders are indexed into position IIEId, the rollers I45 and I46 ride from the cams I4? and thereby release the compression of the springs I37 to swing the clamping plates HI and I 32 in opposite directions into the position illustrated in Fig. 11 so that the ground plates of glass 21 and 21a may be readily removed therefrom.

Each successive grinding cycle is initiated manually by closing the switch 2I'I. The remainder of the grinding cycle is automatically performed as above described.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a grinding machine for grinding edge portions of plate glass having a base, a traversable wheel slide, a movable wheel head on said slide. a rotatable grinding wheel on said head,

13 means for traversing said slide, an endlesswork conveyer, a plurality of spaced work holders fixedly mounted on said conveyer, a master form on each of said holders, means including a motor driven gear mechanism automatically to index said conveyer successively to convey plates of glass having edge portions to be ground to and from a grinding position, a follower on said wheel head, means to move the wheel head transversely relative to the wheel slide so as to move the follower to and from operative engagement with said form, and yieldable means to maintain said follower in operative engagement with said form to facilitate grinding an edge portion on the work piece to a predetermined size and contour.

2. In a grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, in combination with the parts and features therein specified in which the work holder includes a pivotally mounted clamping member for clamping a work piece in a predetermined position relative to the template, and means including a cam actuated mechanism for actuating said clamping member when the work holder is indexed from a loading position to a grinding position to clamp a work piece therein for a grinding operation and to release said clamping member when the work holder is indexed to an unloading position.

3. In a grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, in combination with the parts and features therein specified in which the work holder includes a pivotally mounted clamping member for clamping a work piece in a predetermined position relative to the template, toggle actuated mechanism on said work holder for actuating said clamping member, and means including a cam automatically to actuate said toggle levers when the work holder is indexed from a loading to a grinding position to clamp a work piece therein for a grinding operation and to release said clamping member when the work holder is indexed to an unloading position.

4. In a grinding machine for grinding edge portions of plate glass having a base, a traversable wheel slide, a movable wheel head on said slide, a rotatable grinding wheel on said head, a piston and cylinder for traversing said slide, a control valve therefor, an endless chaintype work conveyer, a plurality of spaced work holders fixedly mounted on said conveyer, a master form on each of said holders, means including a motor driven gear mechanism automatically to index said conveyer successively to convey plates of glass havin edge portions to be ground to and from a grinding position, a follower on said wheel head, means to move the wheel head transversely relative to the wheel slide so as to move the follower to and from operative engagement with said form, and yieldable means to maintain said follower in operative engagement with said form to facilitate grinding an edge portion on the work piece to a predetermined size and contour.

5. In an edge grinding machine for plate glass having a base, a traversable wheel slide, a movably mounted wheel head on said slide, a rotatable grindin wheel on said head, a piston and cylinder for traversing said slide, a control valve therefor, an endless work conveyer having a plurality of spaced work holders for conveying successive work pieces to and from a grinding position, a master form on each of said holders, means automatically to index said conveyer, a follower adjustably fixed on said wheel head, and means including a piston and cylinder to move said wheel head transversely relative to said wheel slide so as to move the follower to and from operative engagement with said form and to maintain the follower in operative engagement therewith during a grinding operation to facilitate grinding an edge portion to a predetermined size and contour.

6. In an edge grinding machine for plate glass having a base, a traversable wheel slide, a movably mounted wheel head on said slide, a rotatable grinding wheel on said head, a piston and cylinder for traversing said slide, a control valve therefor, an endless work conveyer having a plurality of spaced work holders for conveying successive work pieces to and from a grinding position, a master form on each of said holders, means automatically to index said conveyer, a follower adjustably fixed on said wheel head, a piston and cylinder to move said wheel head transversely relative to the wheel slide so as to move the follower to and from operative engagement with said form and to maintain the follower in operative engagement therewith during a grinding operation to facilitate grinding an edge portion to a predetermined size and contour, and means including a manually adjustable slide interposed between the wheel slide and said cylinder to facilitate adjustment of the path of the swinging movement of the wheel head.

7. In an edge grinding machine for plate glass having a base, a traversable wheel slide, a pivotally mounted head on said slide, a rotatable grinding wheel on said head, a piston and cylinder to traverse said slide, an endless conveyer having a plurality of spaced work holders fixedly mounted thereon, a master form on each of said holders, means automatically to index said conveyer to convey plates of glass to be ground to and from a grinding position, a follower adjustably fixed on said wheel head, a piston and cylinder operatively connected to swing said wheel head to and from an operative position with the follower in engagement with said master form and to maintain the follower in engagement therewith during a traversing movement of the wheel slide to facilitate grinding an edge portion of the work piece to a predetermined size and contour, and means including a control valve to control the admission to and exhaust of fluid from both of said cylinders.

8. In an edge grinding machine for plate lass having a base, a plurality of traversable wheel slides, a pivotally mounted wheel head on each of said slides, a rotatable grinding wheel on each of said heads, an independent piston and cylinder for traversing each of said slides, an endless work conveyer having a plurality of spaced work holders, a master form on each of said holders, means intermittently to index said conveyer to convey plates of glass having a plurality of edge portions to be ground to and from a grinding position, a follower adjustably mounted on each of said wheel heads, an independent piston and cylinder for swinging each of said wheel heads to and from an operative position and to maintain the followers in operative engagement with said form during the traversing movement of said slides to facilitate simultaneously grinding a plurality of edge portions on the plate to a predetermined size and contour, and a control valve to control the admission of fluid to said traverse and said wheel head cylinders.

9. In an edge grinding machine for plate glass having a base, a plurality of traversable wheel slides, a pivotally mounted wheel head on each of said slides, a rotatable grinding wheel on each of said heads, an independent piston and cylinder for traversing each of said slides, an endless work conveyer having a plurality of spaced work holders, a master form on each of said holders, means intermittently to index said conveyer to convey plates of glass having a plurality of edge portions to be ground to and from a grinding position, a follower adjustably mounted on each of said wheel heads, an independent piston and cylinder for swinging each of said wheel heads to and from an operative position and to maintain the followers in operative engagement with said form during the traversing movement of said slides to facilitate simultaneously grinding a plurality of edge portions on the plate to a predetermined size and contour, and means including an independent manually adjustable slide interposed between each of said wheel slides and the latter cylinders to facilitate adjustment of the path of the swinging movement of each of the wheel heads.

10. In a grinding machine for grinding a plurality of edge portions on a plate glass having a base, a pair of spaced vertical slide ways thereon, an independent vertically traversable wheel slide on each of said ways, a horizontal slide way, a horizontally traversable wheel slide thereon, a pivotally mounted wheel head on each of said wheel slides, a rotatable grinding Wheel on each of said heads, said grinding wheels being arranged simultaneously to grind edges on opposite ends and the top of said plate glass, a work holder for supporting a work piece during grinding, a master form on said holder, a followeradjustably fixed on each of said heads each of which is arranged to simultaneously engage the master form, an independent piston and cylinder to traverse each of said wheel slides, and an independent piston and cylinder to move each of said wheel heads transversely relative to its supporting wheel slide to move the followers into operative engagement with the master form and to maintain them in engagement therewith during a rgrin'ding operation to facilitate grindin a plurality of adjacent edge portions to a predetermined size and contour.

11. In a grinding machine for grinding a plurality of edge portions on a plate glass having a base, two pair of spaced vertical parallel slide rods thereon, an independent vertically traversable wheel slide on each 'pair of said rods, a pair of spaced horizontal parallel slide rods, a horizontally traversable wheel slide thereon, a pivotally mounted wheel head on each of said Wheel slides, a rotatable grinding wheel on each of said heads, said grinding wheels being arranged simultaneously to grind edges on opposite ends and the top of said plate glass, 2. work holder for supporting a work piece during grinding, a master form on said holder, a follower adjustably fixed on each of said heads each of which is arranged to simultaneously engage the master form, an independent piston and cylinder to traverse each of said wheel slides, and an independent piston and cylinder to move each of said Wheel heads transversely relative to its supporting wheel slide to move the followers into operative engagement with the master form and to maintain them in engagement therewith during "a grinding operation to facilitate grinding a plurality of adjacent edge portions to a predetermined size and contour.

OIVA E. HILL. CARL G. FLYGARE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,920,076 Happel July 25, 1933 1,929,810 Edwards et al. Oct. 10, 1933 1,966,869 Owen July 17, 1934 2,057,174 Weber Oct. 13, 1936 2,090,067 Pierce Aug. 17, 1937 2,297,827 Ellenbecker Oct. 6, 1942 

